(Jersey Tom-toms, garden basil and oregano)

What does summer mean to you? Warm beach days? Long nights under the stars? Ghost stories told around the campfire? Perma-sweat? Summer, in my book, means fresh things like tomatoes, corn, berries, and squash. This is such an exciting time for me because it's the one time during the year that tomatoes actually taste like tomatoes. Now some of you are probably thinking, well, what does it taste like the rest of the year, ya smartnic? I wouldn't know, because I try to eat my favorite things as seasonally as possible. That means no strawberries in the winter and no peaches in fall. It may seem like I'm missing out, but am I? Here are some reasons why I think you, dear reader, should also try to eat seasonally as well as locally:

The most basic of reasons is the food will always taste better. Love has it seasons and so does produce! That means that apples really dig the colder weather that fall brings and berries love the moist heat of summer. When you buy strawberries and tomatoes off-season, their red hue is typically forcefully induced by ethylene gases that artificially ripen them. Also, a good rule of thumb is to turn away from anything that is labeled as GMO (genetically modified organism). You may think that that strawberry the size of your fist is a good idea, but it's actually just roided up. Just like A-Rod.

You get the opportunity to expand your palate and repertoire. You may have your favorite fruits and vegetables that you enjoy eating all year round, but think of all the other things you could be trying if you were to swap out your faves for some new choices. Explore different citrus fruits in the winter when they are abundant and cheap to come by. Myriad root vegetables are perfect to try during the colder months and are readily accessible. By making a few simple swaps, you may find a new favorite. 

Nutritional value is at its peak for most produce when it is just picked. This means that the quicker it gets to your plate, the more vitamins and minerals you will benefit from. Hit up farmers markets and ask when their produce was picked to ensure the healthiest bang for your buck. 

Supporting local farms is the right thing to do. Although it may cost more than conventional markets, the product you are receiving from farms, especially ones that use organic and sustainable methods, is far superior to the rubbish you often find in stores now. If small, family-owned farms fall by the wayside, big superstores will with ease possess that same land and mass produce more of what's most convenient and the cheapest. An easy way to support a local farm is to join a CSA (community supported agriculture). Consider purchasing a season with a friend or another family as the bounty  is typically large and the cost will seem more manageable. 

  If you're interested in joining a CSA near you, here's a helpful link: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

        Here's a picture of manatee cookies my friend Alysse and I made. I think they look like loch ness.